Paralympic hopeful Josh proves to millions he's one Tough Mudder

Rob Stocks

A Fylde coast man who broke his neck in a freak pool accident has inspired millions with a video of him tackling a Tough Mudder course.

Footage of 22-year-old Josh Landmann tackling the gruelling course has been watched millions of times since it appeared on Facebook.

Former Rossall pupil Josh was helped round the course by dad Neil.

And shots of the paralympic hopeful being hauled up the ‘Everest’ wall by strangers have led to him appearing on national television.

Josh, whose parents live in Knott End, was paralysed when he hit his head on the bottom of a pool in Ibiza – fracturing a vertebrae at the top of his back and compressing other vertebrae, leaving him unable to feel anything below his waist.

He explained how difficult a test Tough Mudder was.

Appearing on Good Morning Britain, Josh said: “I could do some parts of the course, some of the obstacles, getting out of my wheelchair and either pulling myself through or getting help or a piggy back from others.

“I thought when I got to the wall maybe I could pull myself to the rope or my dad would push me.

“It was so slippy though.

“I could hear them calling for people to help me, people who were waiting.

“The response was amazing.

“I think 12m people have seen the video so far.

“The response has been amazing.

“I’ve had so many messages from mums, from people who have been inspired, from people who are in hospital beds at their lowest points.

“When you can show people who are down how they can get up and make themselves stronger, that is fantastic.”

Neil was proud of his son.

He said: “I was only asked to do it three or four days before when one of Josh’s friends pulled out.

“He is determined to succeed and achieve. He’s grown up with professionalism and positivity.”

Josh was recently training with the British wheelchair ski team and hopes to compete at the 2022 winter paralympic games.

Find out more about Josh and make donations to support spinal research and his sporting hopes at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/joshua-landmann-ChallengeMe